Straw dispenser



R- K. TIEDEMAN STRAW DISPENSER March 31, 1953 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 iled Feb. 15 1949 Rm 0 M WE Ma K E B o R A WWW ATTORNEY.

Mam}! 1953 R. K. TIEDEMAN 2,633,397

' STRAW DISPENSER Filed Feb. 15, 1949 2 sHEE s s1-1 2 7 w 3 I'NVENTOR. 05am xxnsvgmn BY iwww ATTORNEY. 3

Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES PAINT OFFICE STRAW DISPENSER Robert K. Tiedeman, Packanack-Lake, J.

Application'Februany 15, 1949, Serial No. 76,516

9Illaims. (01. 31 2-78) like, even though they may "be adequate from the standpoint of service'ability and operativeness. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a straw-dispenserwhich is wholly closed and which may be loaded from packages of straws without "an operator touching either the straws or the interior-oi the dispenser, thereby avoiding the possib'flity of transmission of disease. It is a further object toprovide a dispenser which may be disassembled and -c'leaned without difficulty so that the dispenser may meet sanitary requirements which may be or areestablished by governmental agencies. Another ob- 'ject of the invention is to provide a straw dispenser which is positive and simple in operation so that no "indoctrination on the part of the user orthestorekeeper isnecess'ary. i inother-ob- Y ject of the invention is to *provide a dispenser mechanism which is positive in operation and which is substantially trouble -"free' from the viewpoint of disruption of the "mechanism due 'to defestive straws, and which is so simple as to be most unlikely to jam or fail in operation. Another object of the invention is to provide a straw dispenser which is easily pro'ducible by production methods, so -that the cost of "the -'device Will be minimized.

Still another object oithe invention is to provide, "for cooperation with the dispenser of 'the invention, a special package adapted for loading the dispenser; in such 'a manner that the *contents of the package may be loaded .into a dispenser without -touching the package contents.

Further objects of the invention will become cle'ar in viewing the drawings in connection with the detailed description following. The drawings and description are to 'betakenonlyasillustrative or one mode of practicing the invention and are not to be construed as -limiting'the scope thereof. The definition of the "limitsof the "in- 'vention are set 'forth only in 'the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters represent similar parts,

"Fig. '1 is'a perspective view of a straw dispenser of the invention, showing portions thereof in -phantom and portions thereof in solid lines;

Fig. 2 "al'ongitudinal section througha straw 2 package appropriate for use with the invention;

Fig. 3 is 'a'pl'an "of the straw package; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section, 'showingthe straw-dispenser and the application of 'a straw pack-age thereto for filling the dispenser.

The dispenser consists of a substantially rectangul'ar hollow container 10 fabricated "from metal, or plastic, as desired, the container being closed at its top, as at 12. offset portion 14 .is providediin the container for a purpose which will become apparent. The bottom of the "container is :open, for straw loading purposes, the opening being 'closable by a removable closure 16 (Fig. 4). Within the back of the container and hinged to the sides "thereof are spaced feedrflaps '13 which preferably comprise a wire frame v 20 covered by a plate 22, the feed .flapsbeing hinged on rods :24 which, :at their ends, engage the sides of'the container. The flap hinges includeisprings 26 which normally urge the flaps :leftwardly :as shown to move contained straws toward the opposite side of the dispenser for feeding, as will be described. The flaps i8 areimovable :between :a vertical position :and :a nearly horizontal -position as shown in the :upper portion "of Fig. 4 :so that as straws are dispensed, those within the container will be movedleftwardly as shown for ultimate ejection by the ejector and traversing mechanism :best shown in .Fig. .1.

The ejection and traversing mechanism .is wholly carried by an edge-flanged :plate 28 which is assembled in the container it, the latter .having formed therein a suitable track to :receive a the .plate .28. .After assembly .of the plate the latter .is .held in position by the bottom closure it which engages suitable ledges =3il stormed in the container. The straws engaged by the :flaps .13 are pressed against the plate .28. :Alower corner of the plate is cut away as at 3| :and an ejector 32 is mounted for vertical reciprocationat this :cuto'ut, *the :ejector :carrying :a shelf 34 engageable with the bottom of .a straw and the ejector further being constrained to vertical sliding by clips '36 on the back of the plate 28. These iclips may either be spot welded to the plate 28 or :may be formed by punched upsets from 'thepl'ate itself.

An operating rod 3-8 is mounted for vertical reciprocation on the back of'the plate 28, being secured for sliding by clips to punched out of the plate proper and folded around the rod. This rod extends through 'an opening in the 'top "l2 of the container Hi and carries an appropriate and decorative handle "42. The ejector '32 and rod are connected to one another through a rocker 44 centrally pivoted to the plate 28 by a stud 48, the ends of the rocker 44 being provided with slots 48 and 58 engaging pins 52 and 54 which are respectively fixed to the rod 38 and the ejector 32. Thus, when the knob 42 is pressed downwardly, the ejector 32 is caused to rise and conversely, when the knob 42 rises, the ejector 32 drops to the bottom of the container. When a straw is disposed with its bottom on the ejector shelf 34 and when the knob 42 is pressed, the straw is moved upwardly and passes through an opening 56 formed in the top I2 of the container ill. The hole 56 is normally closed by a small trapdoor 58 hinged to the container and raised when a straw is ejected through the hole. Upon removal of the partially ejected straw from the container, the trap door 58 drops closed to prevent the entry of foreign matter into the container whereby the straws are kept clean.

The plate 28 is provided with two similar lateral apertures 60 through each of which a traversing mechanism may at times protrude. Since both of the traversing mechanisms are the same, a description of one will suffice and the same reference characters are applied to both. Across the aperture 58 and engaged in the end flanges 82 of the plate 28 is a pin or rod 84 upon which is slidably and turnably mounted a feed comb 86 preferably fabricated from sheet metal and having a portion 81 wrapped around the pin 84. A protruding portion of the comb 68 is scalloped to provide a plurality of substantially semi-circular notches 68, the size and shape of these notches being such as to readily receive straws pressed against the plate 28 by the flaps i 8. These combs 88 serve, by their partial rotation and longitudinal movement, to feed straws resting against the plate 28 laterally along the plate toward the ejector 32 so that upon each operation of the operating knob 42, a straw will be ejected and a new straw will be placed in loading position for subsequent ejection by another operation of the rod 38 and its knob 42.

' The plate 28 is provided with a stop portion HI upon which the comb 68 may rest, this stop establishing a lowermost position to which the comb 88 can turn and in which position, the notches 88 protrude outwardly from the plate 28 to engage straws. From the back portion of each comb 86, a tab 12 projects, which is engaged by a spring 14, the upper end of the spring being engaged with a tab 75 upset from the plate 28. The tabs '12 and 18 are so related that the spring 74 continuously urges the comb 65 rightwardly as shown and also, in a clockwise direction as shown, for engagement with the straws and for movement of the straws from left to -'right.

The comb B8 is provided with a tab '18, on one side of the rod 38, which is engaged by a depressor portion 80 of a cam element 82 secured to the rod 38. The tab 18 is substantially coplanar with the comb 68 so that it lies horizontally when the comb teeth project into the container for straw engagement. The comb 85 is also provided with a tab 84 which, when the comb 86 is horizontal, has an upstanding projection 86. This tab is engaged by a cam face 88 of the rod cam 82.

When the rod 38 is pressed downwardly, the depressor 80 engages the tab 18 and tilts the comb 66 upwardly out of engagement with the straws. Concurrently, the rocker 44 is swung to raise the ejector 32 and to eject a straw from the container through the port 58. As the rod 38 moves downwardly, the cam face 88 engages the tab 84, shifting the comb 68 laterally (leftwardly as shown) against the tension of the spring 74. This traversing continues until the rod 38 reaches the bottom of its stroke at which time the tab 18 of the comb 66 has moved leftwardly and disengages the depressor whereupon the comb rotates under the influence of the spring 74 and the comb teeth protrude from the plate 28 and engage the straws lying against the plate. Now, the rod 38 is released and is restored to a vertical position by a spring engaged at one end with the lower cam 82 and at its upper end with a tab 92 upset from the back plate 28. As the rod 38 rises, with the comb 66 in the horizontal position, the cam face 88 leaves the tab 84 and the comb is prevented from moving to the right due to the depressor 88 engaging one side of the tab 18, the comb 65 being urged toward the right by the spring 14. When the rod 38 reaches its uppermost position, the depressor 80 rises above the tab 18, thereby freeing the comb 58 for movement to the right under the influence of the spring 14. Upon such movement, the straws within the container, engaged by the teeth of the comb 66, are moved to the right, the most extreme straw on the right hand side thereby being placed in position over the shelf 34 on the ejector 32, in readiness for ejection when the rod 38 is next depressed.

By the action of the tabs 18, a plurality of straws will at all times be held against the back plate 28 for engagement by the teeth of the comb 68, until the supply of straws within the container may be exhausted. As the straw container becomes nearly empty, there may be an insufiicient number of straws against the back plate 28 to fill all of the notches in the two combs 88 so that in this condition, ejection of straws may not occur necessarily with every stroke of the rod 38. However, if delivery of a straw should fail, repeated operation of the rod structed with the offset portion l4 at one corner which is internally formed as a channel to receive a straw which is in position for ejection, overlying the ejector shelf 34 and lying immediately beneath the ejection hole 56. By this channel, a straw in position for ejection is isolated from the balance of the straw supply within the container and more positive operation of the dispenser is assured.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a special type of straw package is shown which is particularly adapted for use with the dispenser of this invention to enable sanitary filling of the dispenser. The use of such a package is not essential however as the dispenser can if necessary be filled by hand from any conventional straw package. To assure sanitary usage of the dispenser the special package herein shown and described is recommended, W This package consistsof an ordinarysoft cardboard box 100 the bottom edges of which are folded or rolled as at I02 to comprise a bottom stop. A bottom for the package comprises a cardboard portion Hi4 whose edges are folded upwardly as at 106, this bottom portion lying within the package and against the folded portions N12. The straws are loaded 'into the package and against the bottom It. The top of the package is closed in the conventional manner by folded tabs 108, H6 and M2, the tab I08 being provided with a slot and the tab H being provided with a slot engaging tongue 114 by which the box is held closed.

To 'fill the container II) when the supply of straws therein has become small but not necesrsarily exhausted, a loading door H6, hinged 'at 'I I8 to the container bottom closure is, is opened and the top of the straw package is inserted through the thus formed opening into the container. The package, when it is pushed into the container, will raise one or both of the feed flaps [8 as shown in Fig. 4 whereupon'the operator presses upon the bottom Hit of the package. The straws open up the top flaps of the package and are pushed into the container, whereupon the package itself, along with the bottom closure ltd, is withdrawn from the container leaving the straws therein. Thereupon, "the door H6 maybe closed either manually or by a spring hinge at the point i l8. The flaps 18 then press the loaded straws toward the back plate 28- and the dispenser is again ready for normal operation.

A latch I I8 is shown at'the bottom right hand side of the container in Fig. 4 to hold the door 'I'IB closed, and a knob l-Zt on the door H allows of easy opening of the door for loading purposes.

'The container is provided with projections l'22 along with the projections 30 to locate the loading position for the straw package so that it will be properly centered when the door H6 is opened. These projections are so disposed that the package will be held clear of the back plate 28 and also, of the hinge mountings 24 "for the flaps '18 "so that unskilled operators will be prevented from loading the dispenser in an incorreot manner. 'The'hin'gerods'ili'may be shrouded by "guides 1'23 to "assist in centering the package when the dispenser is being loaded.

inferred heretofore, the bottom closure [6 of the container, along with the loading door II'B, *may comprise a single sub-assembly which is *lnserted into the bottom of the "container in a'manner'whi'ch is clear 'from the drawing in Fig. '4. The part It is registered in grooves associated with the container projections 30 and serves to hold the'back plate 78in the container, the door 'l [6 being free for opening and closing after the portion [6 is in proper position. .Should it be desirable to disassemble the dispenser for cleaning or any other purpose, the door H6 is opened and the portion I6 is slid rightwardly out of its container 7.510135. Then, the .knob 42 may be removed .from the rod 38 and the entire ejection and loading assembly mounted upon the back plate 28 may be removed as a unit by withdrawal through the bottom of the container.

With the ejecting and loading mechanism con stitutin'g a complete sub-assembly, it can be easily cleaned and adjusted, all elements thereof belngiin'plain view, leaving no opportunity for accretions of foreign matter which might aggregate to form a sanitation hazard.

The dispenser and its component parts are all readily fabricated :a't low cost, :the mechanism elements all comprising, preferably, thin rust or corrosion resistant sheets formed into their ultimate configuration by stamping operations. The container proper "may either be of metal or :of a molded plastic composition. If desired, when the container is made of plastic, portions of it may be made transparent so that the straw contents are'visible. Preferably, the portions of the container embracing the ejection and feed mechanism would be opaque but this is not essential. The dispenser may be made in any desired size to accommodate a supply of a considerable number of straws to avoid the needfor frequent reloading.

Though but a single embodiment illustrating the invention'h'as been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention may be applied in various forms. Changes may be made in the arrangements shown without departing from the spirit-or scope of the invention as will be apparent'to those skilled inth'e art and reference should'be made to the "appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A soda straw dispenser comprising a container within which aquan-tity of-straws is adapted to be'inser'ted from a package, a feed mechanism on a wall engageable and disengagealble with the plurality of straws adjacent said wall, ane'jector adjacent said wall, said container having an opening alined with said ejector through which a straw'may be ejected, an operatingmemher on said-containermovable in one direction to move said ejector to eject a straw and movable in the opposite direction to restore said ejector and means connecting said member to said feed mechanism to disengage the mechanism from said straws and to traverse the mechanism away from said ejector upon actuation of the member in one direction, and to engage the mechanism with the straws and to traverse the mechanism toward said ejector upon actua-tionof saidmemher in the other direction.

2. A soda straw dispenser comprising a container within which a quan'tityo'f straws is adapted to be inserted from a'package,follower-means movable within said container, adjacent an in-' ter'ior wall thereof contacting contained straws to urge them toward the opposite side of said "0011- tamer, feed mechanism on said opposite wall engageable and disengageable with the plurality of straws adjacent said opposite wall, an ejector at one end of said opposite wall, said containerhaving an opening alined with said ejector through which a straw may be ejected, an operating memher on said container movable-"inane direction'to move said. ejector to 'ej ect a straw "and movable in the opposite direction to restore said ejector, and means connecting said member to said feed mechanism to disengage the mechanism from said straws and to traverse the mechanism away from said ejector upon actuation oi the member in d r t n, a d to engage "the mechanism with the straws and to traverse the mechanism towardsaid ejector'upon actuation of said memher in the other direction.

3. A soda straw dispenser comprising a container within which a quantity .o'fs'traws is adapted to be inserted from a package, the straws bee ing disposed in said container .in ,a substantially vertical position and the container having a rectangularcross section, a springpressed swinging feed plate hinged within said container on a substantially horizontal axis, adjacent an interior wall thereof, having an edge contacting a portion of the contained straws to urge them toward the opposite side of said container, a lateral feed mechanism on said opposite Wall engageable and disengageable with the plurality of straws adjacent said opposite wall, an ejector at one end of said opposite wall, said container having an opening alined with said ejector through which a straw may be ejected, an operating member on said container movable in one direction to raise said ejector and to eject a straw and movable in the opposite direction to lower said ejector, and means connecting said member to said feed mechanism to disengage the mechanism from said straws and to traverse the mechanism away from said ejector upon lowering of the member, and to engage the mechanism with the straws and to traverse the mechanism toward said ejector upon raising of said member.

4. A soda straw dispenser comprising a container within which a quantity of straws is adapted to be inserted from a package, the straws being disposed in said container in a substantially vertical position and the container having a reotangular cross section, a spring pressed swingingfeed plate hinged within said container on a substantially horizontal axis, adjacent an interior wall thereof, having an edge contacting a portion of the contained straws to urge them toward the opposite side of said container, a lateral feed mechanism on said opposite wall comprising a plurality of straw-engaging fingers engageable and disengageable with the plurality of straws adjacent said opposite wall, an ejector at one end of said opposite wall, said container having an opening alined with said ejector through which a straw may be ejected, an operating member on said container connected to and movable in one direction to raise said ejector and to eject a straw and movable in the opposite direction to lower said ejector, and means connecting said member to said feed mechanism to disengage the mechanism from said straws and to traverse the mechanism away from said ejector upon lowering of the member, and to engage the mechanism with the straws and to traverse the mechanism toward said ejector upon raising of said member.

5. In a dispenser for soda straws comprising a container, means therewithin to press contained straws toward one wall of the container, a comblike feed member disposed transversely adjacent said one wall, the member having an original position and being movable into engagement with straws and out of engagement therewith and being movable transversely, an operating memher having elements engageable with said feed member, said elements including a depressor to tilt said feed member and a cam to move said feed member transversely upon one-directional movement of said operating member, and resilient mean to untilt said member into straw engagement and to restore said feed member to its original position while moving straws therewith after disengagement of said member by said elements.

6. In a dispenser for soda straws comprising a container, means therewithin to press contained straws toward one wall of the container, a comblike feed member disposed transversely adjacent said one wall, the member having an original position and being movable into engagement with straws and out of engagement therewith and being movable transversely, an operating member having elements engageable with said feed memher, said elements including a depressor to tilt said feed member and a cam to move said feed member transversely upon one-directional movement of said operating member, resilient means to untilt said member into straw engagement and to restore said feed member to its original position while moving straws therewith after disengagement of said member by said elements, and means responsive to operating member movement to discharge a straw, fed by said feed memher, from said container.

7. In a dispenser for soda straws comprising a container, first resilient means therewithin to press contained straws toward one wall of the container, at comb-like feed member disposed transversely adjacent said one wall, the member having an original position and being movable into engagement with straws and out of engagement therewith and being movable transversely, an operating member having elements engageable with said feed member, said elements including a depressor to tilt said feed member and a cam to move said feed member transversely upon one-directional movement of said operating member, second resilient means to untilt said member into straw engagement and to restore said feed member to its original position while moving straws therewith after disengagement of said feed member by said elements, means responsive to operating member movement to discharge a straw, fed by said feed member, from said container, said first resilient means urging contained straws into engagement with said feed member.

8. In a straw dispenser, in combination, a container for a supply of straws, means therein to urge the straws toward one interior face of the container, feed means reciprocable transversely of the straws mounted on said container adjacent said face having projections engageable with said straws, an ejector for a straw at one end of said means, an operating member, and means connecting said operating member and ejector for sequential operation thereof to eject a straw and to feed another straw into position for ejection upon movement of said operating member.

9. In a straw dispenser, in combination, a container for a supply of straws having an interior face engaged by the straws, feed means mounted in said container adjacent said face movable transversely of the axes of the straws to move them toward one edge of said face, an ejector reciprocable along said edge to displace a straw axially therealong, a movable operating member, means connecting said operating member with said ejector to cause ejection of a straw upon movement of the operating member, and means connecting said operating member with said feed means to cause movement thereof upon movement of the operating member away from said ejector, and elastic means urging feeding movement of said feed means toward said ejector.

ROBERT K. TIEDEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

